Envelop-sealer and stamp-moistener.



A. L. BENNETT.

ENVELOP SEALER AND STAMP MOISTENER,

APPLICATiON FILED MAE 22.1916.

Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

inventor Witnesses Attorneys WTTED STATE PATENT @FFTQE.

ALBERT L. BENNETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINGIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN SEALER CO., OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION.

ENVELOP-SEALER AND STAMP-MOISTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1916.

Application filed May 22, 1916. Serial No. 99,153.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT L. BENNETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Envelop-Sealer and Stamp-Hoistener, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for moistening the closure flaps of envelope, for sealing envelops, for moistening stamps, and the like.

The invention aims to provide, in a device of the type described, a novel closure for the opening through which the moistening liquid passes, and to provide novel means for adjusting the position of the closure and for actuating the closure.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

Vith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 shows in perspective, a moistener constructed in accord ance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the moistener; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the moistener; and Fig. 41 is a cross section on the line 1 1, the line 22 in Fig. 1 indicating the cutting plane on which Fig. 2 is taken, and the line 3-3 in Fig. 1 indicating the cutting plane on which Fig. 3 is taken.

The device forming the subject matter of this application preferably but not necessarily is fashioned from metal throughout and includes a box-like case 1 having an end wall 2. The opposite end of the case 1 is open, but is closed by means of a cap 4 which may have a flange 5 engaging the outer surface of the case 1, the cap 4 preferably being held in place permanently and securely by means of solder or otherwise. In the end wall 2 of the case 1, a restricted slot 3 is formed.

Disposed within the case 1 is a spring which may be described roughly as being of U-shape. The spring includes a straight base 6, rectangular extensions 7 at the ends of the base 6, and inwardly curved arms 8 at the ends of the extensions 7. The end edges of the arms 8 may be rounded as shown at 9 in Fig. 3. The ends of the arms 8 bear against the cap 4 and are lodged in the angles defined by the cap 4 and the edge walls of the case 1, as indicated at 10.

The invention comprises a closure preferably in the form of a plate 11. One edge of the plate 11 is equipped with lugs 12 projecting through openings in the base 6 of the spring. The lugs 12 are extended or broomed slightly, to coact with the base (5, the plate 11 being held at right angles to the base 6, as Fig. 3 will clearly show. The spring comprising the arms 8 and attendant parts is wide enough so as to fill the case 1 substantially, from side to side, without fitting closely enough therein to prevent the spring from yielding. The plate 11 includes a reduced extension 14: which projects through the slot 8. Shoulders 15 are formed at the ends of the extension 1%, and these shoulders bear against the end wall 2 at the ends of the slot 3, so that the plate 11 cannot be pushed out of the case entirely under the action of the spring. Further, because the shoulders 15 bear against the end wall 2 of the case, the extremities of the arms 8 are held in engagement with the cap 4: and under tension. Adjacent the plate 11, the end edges 16 of the extension 1-1 are straight and parallel. Adjacent the outer edge of the extension 14, the end edges of the extension converge as indicated at 17.

In practical operation, resupposing that the structure is disposed in the form shown in Fig. 1, the plate 11 may bepushed inwardly, by the pressure exerted by the thumb nail of an operator, against the protruding extension 14. The plate 11 may then be given a slight lateral movement, whereupon, the terminal transverse edge of the extension 14:, which is shown exposed in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, will engage the inner face of the end wall 2. In this way, the slot 3 will be opened. The case 1 may then be inserted in a tumbler of water, or may be placed under a faucet, to permit a filling of the case with water. The case, still disposed in a substantially vertical position, and given a smart rap against a table or other object, the extension 14: thus being brought into alinement with the slot 3, whereupon the extension will be caused to protrude through the slot 3 and assume again, the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The slot 3 is now closed so that water cannot pass therethrough.

When it is desired to moisten the flap of an envelop, a stamp or other object, the end wall 2 of the case 1 is passed over the envelop or stamp, the extension 14: and the plate 11 being pushed inwardly. A drop or two of water will now flow out through the slot 3. When pressure is removed, the extension 14, under the action of the spring, will resume the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The case 1 may be inverted and passed over the stamp or envelop for the purpose of pressing the same down.

Attention is directed to the fact thatthe lateral or end edges of the extension lat are parallel adjacent the body portion of the plate 11. Owing to this construction, the extension 14: fills the slot 2 and prevents Water from passing therethrough, when'the plate llis in the position of Fig. 2. WVhen, however, the plate'll is pushed backwardly, water will flow slowly through the slot 3, along the ends of the extension 14, because the said ends of the extension are beveled as shown at 17.

The construction of the spring is such that it may be fashioned at trifling expense out of a blank, and may be assembled with the plate 11, by means of the lugs 12, at a small expense and with but little work.

Having thus describd the invention, what is claimed is 1. A moistener comprising a case including a forward end Wall and a rear end wall, the forward end Wall having an opening; a closure in the case and including an extension projecting through the opening, the closure having a shoulder engaging the forward end wall to limit the outward movement of the closure; and a spring wherewith the closure is directly connected, the

spring abutting against the rear end wall of the case and constituting the sole support and guiding means for the closure within the case, the closure being inwardly and laterally movable independently of the case to permit the outer end of the extension to engage the inner face of the forward end wall, thereby to uncover the opening, and the forward end wall being disposed at right angles to the axis of the case to retain the closure in retracted position, the closure being laterally and outwardly movable independently of the case, to permit the extension to enter the opening.

2; A moistener comprising a case having an opening; a plate within the case andineluding an extension located in the opening, the plate engaging the case at each end of the extension to limit the outward movement of the plate, the end edges of the extension being parallel adjacent the plate, to constitute a closure for the opening, and being beveled adjacent the outer end of the extension, to permit a partial operation of the opening when the plate is retracted; and spring means within the case and engaging the plate, to advance the plate.

8. A moistener comprising a case having opposed end walls and side Walls, one end wall being provided with an opening; a plate within the case and provided with an extension projecting through the opening, the plate engaging said end wall at the opposite ends of the opening; and a spring including base secured to the plate and arms curved toward the longitudinal center of the case, the extremities of the arms being engaged in the angles defined by the other end wall and by the side walls. 7 a a In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signa ture in the presence of'two Witnesses.

ALBERT L. BENNETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

